The stock market boomed in 2019 and mortgage stocks followed right along. Mortgage insurance equities had nice gains but the top performers were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. (Includes data chart.)

Mortgage industry stakeholders reacted differently to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to create a state-level CFPB aiming to fill the vacuum left by a rollback at the federal level.

A mortgage lender accused of predatory practices has agreed to pay more than $3.75 million in restitution. Separately, a broker settled consumer privacy violations and three individuals face penalties for copyright infringement.

The HUD inspector general’s findings reveal the department’s inability to adequately identify, categorize and track individuals’ personal information.

Conventional nonbank lender/servicers have been closed out of the IPO market for several years now. But if you fall into the nonprime category, it’s a different picture. Velocity is about to test the stock market waters.

FHFA Director Mark Calabria walked back the idea of using a consent decree as part of the agency’s plan to recap and release Fannie and Freddie from conservatorship.

Rates were lower at yearend than Sept. 30, which means MSRs owners can relax and take profits on the asset. Next week, when the megabanks begin reporting 4Q results, we’ll know just how good the numbers are.

Analysts ponder whether the administration is committed to making key reforms to the GSEs in the midst of an election year.

Nonbank fintech lenders put a greater emphasis on borrowers with low credit scores and in areas underserved by banks, according to research pub-lished by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.